***as 5,051 Students Receive Certificates
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
The Federal University, Lokoja (FUL) is set to award First Class degrees to 35 graduates out of a total of 5,051 students who successfully completed their studies in the 2024/2025 academic session.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi, announced this on Monday during a pre-convocation press briefing to herald the university’s 9th Convocation Ceremony, scheduled to span a week of academic and celebratory activities in Lokoja.
According to him, the graduands comprise 3,466 undergraduates, 747 diploma holders, and 838 postgraduate students. A breakdown of the results shows 35 First Class, 760 Second Class Upper, 2,287 Second Class Lower, 383 Third Class, and one Pass.
Prof. Akinwumi also named Sherif Ohieku Haruna from the Department of Geology as the Overall Best Graduating Student for the session.
Reflecting on the institution’s progress, the Vice Chancellor said FUL has evolved from a modest beginning into a dynamic, multi-faculty university with strong academic foundations and expanding frontiers.
“Under this administration, we have created six new faculties and three new programmes, all resource-verified and accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and relevant professional bodies,” he said.
He disclosed that the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme is currently in its final stage of accreditation by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).
Prof. Akinwumi highlighted FUL’s growing network of academic partnerships, including affiliations with Auchi Polytechnic, Kogi State Polytechnic, and the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) for postgraduate collaboration.
To further drive innovation and research, the university has established specialized institutes and centers addressing national and global challenges.
“When I assumed office, only two inaugural lectures had been delivered. Today, we have recorded 32, in addition to 20 Distinguished Public Lectures that strengthen the university’s engagement with society,” he said.
He added that the university has consistently hosted conferences and workshops across faculties, creating platforms for knowledge exchange and collaboration with government, industry, and international partners.
Staff Development and Infrastructure
Prof. Akinwumi emphasized that staff development remains a top priority, with many lecturers sponsored for postgraduate studies and professional training both locally and abroad.
He, however, acknowledged persistent accommodation challenges and appealed to private investors to collaborate with the university under Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) arrangements to construct hostels and other essential facilities.
The Vice Chancellor expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Visitor to the University, for his leadership, and to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State for his continued support to the institution.
“We are grateful for their encouragement and look forward to more collaboration as we continue to build a university that meets the highest standards of academic excellence and social impact,” he said.
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